Publication Date

(TORONTO) – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has announced that the union’s Corrections bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario government.

The tentative agreement reached today will carry a guarantee of a Corrections-only collective agreement, with arbitration starting in 2018.

“A Corrections-only bargaining unit is a historic win for us,” said Tom O’Neill, Chair of the Corrections Bargaining Team. “It will better equip us to take into account the unique challenges that Corrections members face.”

Gord Longhi, Vice-Chair of the Corrections Bargaining Team, congratulated the team and members for standing up to the Employer’s net zero demands. “We called on the membership to deliver a strong strike mandate – and that’s exactly what they did. They delivered a resounding 96 per cent mandate to deliver a fair contract.”

O’Neill agreed and reflected on members’ solidarity over the many months of bargaining. “The road has been long, frustrating and fraught with complications. Nevertheless, in true Corrections fashion, the membership and the bargaining team have pulled together in the crunch and achieved a fair deal.”

"Every round of bargaining faces its own unique challenges and opportunities," Thomas said. "This team was able to build on progress made at the Central bargaining table to reach a deal that meets the unique needs of the Corrections unit. I'm very proud of the work they did. It's a great accomplishment."

More details on the agreement and information on the ratification vote will follow.